Food briefs for July 19-25

Next "Lady Chef" at St. Germain's
: Chef Dawn Parks will take over the kitchen at St. Germain's Cafe & Bistro during August as part of the restaurant's ongoing "Lady Chef" series, where St. Germains chef Kaitlin Ramos is collaborating all year with fellow female chefs for a series of diverse dinner menus. Parks is the owner of Wild Thyme Co., and before that worked at Rice Restaurant, the Scala Bistro and Salk Institute's Cafe. During August, diners can sample Parks' dishes, including French onion fondue, tequila steamed mussels, roasted beet ravioli with caramelized walnuts and brown butter, seared scallops with semolina griddle cake and herb jam, Tuscan BBQ short rib with crispy onion strings and rosemary, and garlic lamb chop with honeyed red onion confit. Visti stgermainscafe.com .

Free Lollypops at See's
: In honor of National Lollipop Day, See's will be giving away samples of its Lollypops on Friday at more than 200 retail stores. Boxes of the gourmet Lollypops will be on sale through July 23. Also on Friday, See's will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest lollipop with the debut of a 7,000-pound lolly in San Francisco.

Rubio's goes mobile
: Rubio's Restaurants has joined the food truck craze with its first Taco Truck, which hits the streets this month. The rolling kitchen serves nine varieties of Rubio's tacos (starting at $3.50), including fish, shrimp, chicken and portobello mushroom, as well as family-size salads and chip orders. Keep track of the Taco Truck's schedule and book it for onsite catering at rubios.com/tacotruck or call 760-929-8226.

URBN debuts Swizzle series
: From noon to 2 a.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through Labor Day, URBN Coal Fired Pizza in North Park is hosting a Summer Swizzle cocktail series. Each Thursday, bartender Jason O'Brien will stir up a different Swizzle cocktail for $7. This week's cocktail is the Rum Swizzle, with rum, falernum, citrus juices and bitters.

Del Mar Brig reopens
: The Brigantine Restaurant that overlooks the Del Mar Racetrack has reopened this month after an extensive remodel. The interior has been updated, the bar has been expanded with sliding windows that open to the patio and deck, and windows have been added to the south side of the restaurant so diners can better see the nearby track and ocean views. Visit brigantine.com .

Whaling Bar honors Seuss
: The Whaling Bar & Grill at La Jolla's La Valencia Hotel installed a wall plaque this week to honor the memory of Theodor "Ted" Geisel, author of the Dr. Seuss books, who lived in La Jolla until his death in 1991. The plaque was installed above the late author's favorite table at the bar in a ceremony July 8 attended by his widow, Audrey Geisel.

Lobster nights continue:
Pala Casino Spa & Resort will extend its Tuesday Lobster Nights promotion in its Choices buffet through July. From 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays, the buffet menu is expanded to include six lobster dishes. Cost is $36. Call 760-510-2299.

House of Khan pops up on Saturday
: Through Aug. 25, chef Selina Adam Khan has taken over a San Diego kebab restaurant for her first pop-up restaurant, House of Khan. From 5 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, Khan will prepare an authentic Pakistani menu which Khan calls "the campaign for real curry." Diners can choose from a BBQ platter (chicken tikka, seekh kebab masala, zeera aloo and Peshawari/Chapli kebab) or a biryani platter (a biryani casserole, eggplants and salad). Both meals, served with fresh fruit trifle, are $25. House of Khan will operate at California Kebab at 5157 College Ave. Reserve to 760-580-9024.

New whiskey bar in North Park
: Seven Grand Whiskey Bar, operated by the owners of the famed Los Angeles Whiskey Bar, has opened at 3054 University Ave. in North Park. The 4,100-square-foot hunting lodge-style bar serves more than 200 varieties of whiskeys, ryes and Scotches, as well as local craft beers. Open from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. daily, the bar will feature a Whiskey Society membership program and live jazz and blues music is planned later in the summer. Visit sevengrandbars.com or call 619-269-8820.

Racing season drink special:
Beginning July 18, which is opening day at the Del Mar Racetrack, Pacifica Del Mar will offer two drinks for a $25 cover charge in its Ocean Bar. Diners who make reservations can skip the cover and get free valet parking on any bill of $50 or more. The promotion runs through racing season.

New pizza bar in Little Italy:
Isola Pizza Bar has opened at 1526 India St. in San Diego's Little Italy. Owned by former Arizona chef Mossimo Tenino, who named the restaurant after his grandmother, the restaurant's menu features wood-fired gourmet pizzas (beef cheek and shellfish are two varieties), gourmet salads, antipasti and salumi. Visit isolapizzabar.com .

Uptown Tavern set to open
: Uptown Tavern will open July 23 at 1236 University Ave. in Hillcrest. Owned by David Cohen and Bobby Jones, the partners behind North Park's West Coast Tavern, Uptown will have the atmosphere of a rustic-chic neighborhood bar with roll-up garage door windows, indoor and outdoor dining areas, HD televisions and a menu created by executive chef Eli Freebairn. Uptown's bar will have 20 taps for beer and a large selection of vodka drinks and craft cocktails.

Nature's Kitchen debuts:
The former Cafe 21 restaurants in Normal Heights and downtown San Diego have been renamed Nature's Kitchen to reflect a new menu of ingredients entirely sourced from local and organic farms. Chef Leyla Javadov said she spent months sourcing purveyors for her menu, which includes Baklava Crumble Salad, Curry Seared Scallops, Zucchini Cake Skillet, Khan Pilaf, Vegan Sutee and more. Among its suppliers are local Ram's Farm, Sage Mountain Farm, Mary's Free Ranch, TR Natural, Fresh Origins and True Leaf Farms. Later this summer, Nature's Kitchen plans to host a series of "meet the farmer" dinners. Visit cafe-21.com .

Saltbox offers happy hour, pool menus
: Saltbox Dining & Drinking in downtown San Diego has two new summer promotions. From noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, the SummerSalt Pool Lounge on the fourth floor of adjacent Hotel Palomar presents SummerSalt Sundays pool parties with DJ slowhand, Tacos by Chido Man and a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Saltbox Lounge also offers a new late night happy hour from 10 p.m. to midnight through the end of summer, featuring $5 wine, beer and cocktail specials.

Berry Good event raises awareness
: More than 240 local farmers, fishermen, sustainable food purveyors, chefs, food activitists and food writers gathered July 14 in La Jolla to celebrate and promote the region's local bounty at the Berry Good 2012 dinner, featuring 11 courses prepared by 21 chefs featuring ingredients all raised, grown or produced within a 100-mile radius. The third annual dinner was hosted by William and Michelle Ciccarelli Lerach at their clifftop La Jolla home. Michelle C. Lerach is the owner of Cups La Jolla cupcake lounge and cooking school and is a leader in the local food movement. The dinner is named for the extensive berry gardens (not to mention vegetables, fruits, flowers and orchards) that William Lerach, a retired high-profile attorney, planted and tends on the property. Some of the county's top Slow Food and sustainable advocates prepared dishes, including A.R. Valentien's Jeff Jackson, Urban Solace's Matt Gordon, Barrio Star's Isabel Cruz, True Food Kitchen's Michael Stebner and Nathan Coulon, Cucina Urbana's Joe Magnanelli and Nine-Ten's Jason Knibb, among others. Besides promoting local farms, ranches and food, wine and beer producers, the dinner supported food activism on issues such as reducing America's dependence on corporate farming.

Local chefs on TV
: Several local chefs have been featured lately on television shows. Chef/partner Trey Foshee of George's at the Cove in La Jolla and Anthony Sinsay, chef de cuisine at Burlap in Del Mar Heights, were both featured on Monday's episode of Andrew Zimmern's "Bizarre Foods America" on the Food Network. Zimmern visited San Diego in February and dined on sea urchin with Foshee and visited a National City Filipino retaurant with Sinsay. And this evening, local celebrity chef/restaurateur Brian Malarkey will appear on Travel Channel's "Trip Flip," airing at 6 and 9 p.m. July 19. On the show, two North Carolina moms are surprised with a whirlwind dream vacation to San Diego that includes a meal hosted by Malarkey at Searsucker in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.

DINING EVENTS

Mission Valley Craft Beer and Food Festival
: This fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Homes Inc. will feature beers from 14 local breweries, food samples, live music and more from 6 to 9 p.m. July 19 at the Handlery Hotel & Resort, 950 Hotel Circle North, San Diego. Tickets are $30. Visit woundedwarriorhomes.com .

DoubleTree cookies drop-off
: To promote its "Little Things" service, DoubleTree by Hilton will set up a guest lounge from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 19 at Belmont Park in Mission Beach. Visitors can sample DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies, get free Belmont Park ride tickets, take advantage of free Wi-Fi onsite and cellphone charger stations, as well as learn about lodging discounts.

High Tea in Vista
: Barbara Barker of Memories English Tea Garden in Vista will offer a themed class and afternoon tea in a private Vista garden at noon July 20. Cost is $10. For directions, call 760-945-0476.

San Diego Beer Festival:
Breakwater Brewing hosts the fourth annual celebration of local craft beer from 12:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 21 at the Oceanside Junior Seau Beach Amphitheatre, 200 The Strand, Oceanside. The event will feature tastings by more than a dozen San Diego breweries, food vendors and live music by six local bands. Tickets are $30 and include 10 four-ounce tastings and appetizers from Breakwater's kitchen. A $45 VIP ticket includes a pre-fest party and tasting at 11 a.m. For tickets, visit breakwaterbrewing.com .

El Bizcocho Taste Explorations
: El Bizcocho restaurant at the Rancho Bernardo Inn will host monthly wine dinners until it closes for a $2 million remodel and renaming at the end of summer. El Biz was the first California restaurant to offer winemaker dinners in the '70s, so the Inn has brought them back as a tribute to the restaurant's 44-year history.

Locavore Taste Exploration
, 6 p.m. Aug. 23. Dishes created by guest chef Paul Hancock and artisan cocktails, all inspired by local craftsmen, will come together with displays by Estaban Interiors, SD Urban Timber and local jewelers and artists, with live entertainment and produce from the Inn garden and other local markets. Cost is $129.

Fondue and a Brew:
Melting Pot Gaslamp Restaurant and Escondido-based Stone Brewing Co. have partnered for a four-course prix-fixe fondue pairings menu at 6 p.m. July 26 at 901 Fifth Ave., San Diego. Each course will be paired with a different Stone beer, including Stone's Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA with a smoked porter cheddar appetizer and Stone's Smoked Porter with Vanilla Bean paired with a bourbon pecan dark chocolate fondue for dessert. Cost is $49.50. Reserve at 619-234-5554.

Taste of Fallbrook:
Connections Fallbrook Networking Group presents its annual tasting from 6 to 9 p.m. July 27 in downtown Fallbrook. Sixteen Fallbrook restaurants, including La Caseta, Aquaterra, Trupiano's and Rocky Peak, will be offering samples from their menu. Tickets are $15. The event includes live music by Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz. Visit connectionsfallbrook.com or call 760-845-6602.

Celebrating the Craft: Cheese:
Venissimo Academy of Cheese in downtown San Diego hosts Dimitri Saad, the cheesemaker from New York City's Casellula Cheese and Wine Cafe, in an evening of cheese-tasting (with wine), stories about the cheesemaking craft and stories about his cheesy world travels from 6:30-8 p.m. July 30 at 871 G St., San Diego. Cost is $50. Call 619-358-9081.

BrewFest Encinitas
: The San Elijo campus of MiraCosta College will host a beer festival from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 4 at 3333 Manchester Ave., in Encinitas. Fifteen local craft breweries will offer tastings, and four food trucks will be selling food items. Tickets are $40, which includes a sampler glass, 10 beer tastings and parking. Proceeds will benefit North Coast youth charities. Details at brewfestencinitas.com or 760-707-8593.

Smoking Q Classic BBQ Competition
: Vista Village Business Association hosts the annual barbecue contest from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 4 on Main Street in downtown Vista. More than 45 teams are expected to compete for a combined $10,000 in prize money and more than 15,000 barbecue fans attend the event, which includes a motorcycle show, street fair, carnival and beer garden. The public can buy two-ounce tasting tickets for the contestants' chicken, pork ribs, pork and brisket. Call 760-414-9391.

BICE Ferragosto Celebration:
BICE Ristorante in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter hosts its second summer celebration with two dining events in mid-August. From Aug. 8-14, a Grigliata ("everything's grilled") menu of meats, seafood and vegetables will be offered. And on Aug. 15, the Ferragosta Feast will be served, a four-course prix-fixe menu priced at $60. Visit bicesandiego.com .

Mama's Kitchen 17th Annual Wine Tasting
: Bourbon Street in University Heights hosts a fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 16. Event includes wine, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, games and more. Tickets are $60 ($70 at the door) and benefit Mama's Kitchen, which delivers hot meals to San Diegans with AIDS and cancer. Reserve at mamaskitchen.org or 619-233-6262.

San Diego Spirits Festival:
San Diego's top mixologists and dozens of alcohol brands will be showcased at the fourth-annual weekend fest that draws more than 3,000 each year 1 to 9 p.m. Aug. 25 and 26 in The Port Pavilion at Broadway Pier, 1000 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. Events include cocktail parties, live music and strolling entertainers, the Ultimate Bartenders Battle, and the Grand Tasting Event for the public. Visit sandiegospiritsfestival.com or call 858-551-1605.

San Diego Wine & Food Festival:
The ninth annual celebration runs Nov. 14-18 and will feature 25 citywide tastings, parties, classes, dinners and special events featuring more than 200 wineries, brewers and spirits makers, as well as more than 70 San Diego restaurants. Tickets and full details are available at www.sandiegowineclassic.com .

NEW MENUS

Gabardine
, Point Loma: This new seafood bar owned by Brian Malarkey and James Brennan (Malarkey has stepped in as chef de cuisine after chef Chad White moved on) has introduced a playful brunch menu served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Dishes include Steak n' Eggs, Shrimp n' Grits, Frenchy Toast, Fish n' Chips and oysters. Mimosa cocktail varieties include Juniper Grapefruit and Lime, Hibiscus and Lemon, and Cucumber and Ginger, and there's a Hambone cocktail, made with Snake Oil's signature Hunter Beer and bloody mary mix. The restaurant is also offering an Oyster Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. daily, with $1 oysters.

Gingham, La Mesa
: Brian Malarkey's "urban cowboy diner" has introduced a program of nightly specials for summer. Mondays are "Burger of the Week and Beer" nights, with a dry-aged burger and San Diego craft beer for $15. Tuesdays are "Date Nights," with a four-course prix-fixe dinner for two for $45. Wednesdays are Backyard Movie Nights, with a free movie on the patio and food service and Snake Oil cocktails until 11 p.m. Saturdays are Backyard BBQ & Biergarten, with all-you-can-eat grilled pulled pork and corn for $15, specialty draft beer and small plates priced from $3 to $8. On Sundays, there are brunch and dinner specials, including bottomless mimosas for $12, a bloody mary bar, and no corkage fee for wines during dinner. There are also happy hours specials from 5 to 6 p.m. weekdays and reverse happy hours from 10 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with half off select appetizers and $5-$7 drink specials.

Alchemy of the Hearth:
Cooking classes are offered at 960 Rancheros Drive, Suite L, San Marcos. Alchemy of the Hearth is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Go to alchemyofthehearth.com or call 760-233-2433.

Cookin' with Klibs
: Mary "Klibs" Dralle will present a class on preparing a Hawaiian luau from 1:30-3:30 p.m. July 28 at Alta Vista Gardens, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. Recipes and tastings will be offered for each dish, which are traditional and gluten-free. Classes are $15 for Alta Vista members and $20 for non-member. RSVP to missklibs1@netzero.com .

Cups Culinary:
The cupcake lounge in La Jolla also offers classes at 7857 Girard Ave.; go to cupslj.com or call 858-459-2877 for prices and registration. Classes are $65.

• 6-9 p.m. July 24
: Ahi Poke "Any Kine." Gaijin Noodle + Sake House chef Antonio Friscia, winner of the nontraditional category at the I Love Poke Festival contest, will demonstrate how to prepare his poke with local yellowtail, bay scallops and octopus with preserved chile yuzu, uni and micro shiso, among other dishes. $65.

Franco's Home Chef Pizza Classes:
Vista chef Frank Latino, a graduate of the International School of Pizza in San Francisco, is offering ongoing one- and two-day hands-on classes in pizza-making for wood-fired and gas-fired ovens. Seven- to eight-hour classes are limited to six and include lunch. For fees and locations, visit 2003champ@sbcglobal.net or call 619-890-4984.

Roppongi Sushi School:
Roppongi Restaurant in La Jolla hosts Saturday Sushi School at 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. For $25, guests will learn how to roll their own California and Spicy Tuna rolls, followed by a three-course lunch with sake sipper and a take-home sushi-rolling kit and certificate of completion. Reserve to 858-551-5252.

Ro Z's Sweet Art Studio:
Rosanne Zinniger's cake decorating shop and studio at 277 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, San Marcos, offers classes in cake decorating. There is also a kids cake decorating club for ages 7 to 11 one Saturday of every month; go to the website for dates. Store hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Classes sometimes have an additional fee for materials; check the website. Visit rozsweetartstudio.com or call 760-744-0447.

Tea classes:
Barbara Barker of Memories English Tea Garden in Vista offers themed classes and afternoon teas in a private Vista garden. Next class is at noon July 20. Cost is $10. For directions, call 760-945-0476.

The Casual Gourmet:
Phillis Carey will teach simple meals to cook at home at the Center for a Healthy Lifestyle at the Solana Beach Boys & Girls Club, 533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Email phillis@philliscarey.com or call 760-942-1756.

IN THE SPIRITS

Blue Door Winery:
The 10-acre vineyard has opened a tasting room at 1255 Julian Orchards Drive in Julian. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Cost is $8 for five tastings. Bottled wines are $19 to $29. Visit bluedoorwinery.com or call 760-765-0361.

Cafe Japengo
: The La Jolla restaurant is offering monthly tastings of prime sakes from Japan. The $25 tastings include samples of five different sakes, information on the history of each brand and live entertainment. The next tasting is at 5 p.m. July 12 at 8960 University Center Lane, San Diego. Visit cafejapengo.com or 858-450-3355.

The Grand Del Mar's Club M:
Part restaurant, part nightclub, part sports lounge, Club M invites locals and travelers to sip 'n sup on global tapas, sophisticated cocktails, wine and beer, as well as dance and enjoy live entertainment. Noted architect Graham Downes designed and reconfigured the space to create a swank hangout with a lounge, bar, dining room, a large dance floor, and a stage for featured performances and DJs. 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; guest DJs 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.; www.thegranddelmar.com or 858-314-2700.

The Collective:
Tasting lounge features one-of-a-kind, handmade boutique wines at 28544 Old Town Front Street in Temecula. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays. Visit tvwinecollective.com or call 951-693-4567.

ENO-Versity at the Hotel Del:
ENO, the wine, cheese and chocolate tasting room at the Hotel del Coronado, has announced fall classes for ENO-Versity. Classes are $35 per person (unless noted) and start at 4 p.m.; go to hoteldel.com/ENO-wine or call 619-522-8546. The Hotel Del is at 1500 Orange Ave. in Coronado.

Hilton Garden Inn:
Sommelier Kevin Frantze and emcee Bob Rauch will lead a tasting of six wines on select Saturdays this summer at the Hilton Garden Inn in Del Mar. Each 5 p.m. tasting is $29 and includes six wine tastings and a variety of specialty cheeses, fruits and nuts, plus a bottle of wine to take home or pair with dinner at Bistro 39. Go to www.bistro39delmar.com or call 858-720-9500.

Miramonte Winery:
The Temecula winery hosts VIBE once a month with music, food, wines, champagnes, beers and DJs; the winery also hosts "Just Us Girls" at 7 p.m. every first Thursday. The event features wines, champagne cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and vendors. Go to miramontewinery.com or call 951-506-5500.

Monte de Oro Winery & Vineyard:
These events are coming up at Monte de Oro Winery & Vineyard at 35820 Rancho California Road in Temecula. Wine club members receive discounts; go to montedeoro.com or call 951-491-6551.

North County Wine Company:
Brothers Jim and Bill Tobin have recently purchased North County Wine Company at 1099 W. San Marcos Blvd. in San Marcos. The wine bar and shop is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Friday Night Tastings are $10 and include seven wine tastings and snacks. Other weekly events include Tuesday Ladies Night, Meet the Winemaker Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Friday Wine Tasting Six for Six Saturday and Silver Sunday Special. Visit www.NorthCountyWineCompany.com or call 760-744-2119.

Rossi's Pizza:
Hosts a wine group at 6:30 p.m. every first Wednesday at 156 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road in San Marcos. Tastings are $10, and there are discounts on bottles. Go to www.rossis-pizza.com or call 760-727-4747.

Stone Brewing Co.:
The Escondido brewery and restaurant is hosting events at 1999 Citracado Parkway in Escondido. The bistro also hosts movies in its garden during warm-weather months. Call 760-471-4999 or go to www.stonebrew.com to check availability.

Tango offers half-price Wednesdays:
Escondido's Tango Restaurant & Lounge is offering half-price on all drinks and bottles of wine from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, as well as happy hour pricing all evening. Visit tangoongrand.com .

Vinz Wine Bar:
Full restaurant menu with wide wine menu by the glass or bottle. Tastings are from $5-$10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and come with charcuterie and cheese. Live music on Saturdays. Vinz is at 201 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Visit vinzwinebar.net or call 760-743-8466.

Wine Smarties:
The Wine Smarties presents internationally recognized WSET certification programs and other wine classes. The courses are ideal for enthusiasts, professionals or those looking to enter the industry. Go to winesmarties.com or call 619-955-8884. Reservations required.

WineStyles:
The Encinitas wine store offers wine, microbrews, cheese platters and panini after 5 p.m. and several specials each week. On Wednesdays, get a half-price glass or flight of wine after 5 p.m.; Thursday is Ladies' Night; live music most Fridays and Saturdays; and Super Six Wine Tasting is on Saturday afternoons. WineStyles is open from noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.winestyles.net/encinitas or call 760-633-0057.